Countdown to Noon

Don't miss Countdown to Noon: A Pre-K Party on 

Thursday, December 31: 11 AM to Noon!  

January Events

Special Events

Friday, January 1 & Saturday, January 2

LIBRARY CLOSED

Friday, January 8

Sand Art for 3:30 PM
Grades K-12

Saturday, January 9

Family Lego Event 10 AM

All Ages 

Friday, January 15

Lego Build 3:30 PM

Grades K-12
 

Saturday, January 16 & Monday, January 18

LIBRARY CLOSED 

Friday, January 22

Create a Creation 3:30 PM

Grades K-12

Monday, January 25

Kinder Prep B 10 AM

Ages 3-5---Registration Required 

Tuesday, January 26

Lego Night 5 PM

Grade K-8

Friday, January 29

Kids Who Code 3:30 PM

Grades K-12 

Ongoing Events

Tuesdays

Play Dough Mats 4 PM (1/5, 1/12, & 1/19)

All Ages

Wednesdays

Preschool Science 9:30 AM 

Ages 3-5

Baby Sign 11 AM

Ages 0+

Thursdays

Babytime 9:30 AM

Ages Newborn-2

Storytime 11:00 AM

Themes

1/7---The Pigeon

1/14---Mustaches

1/21---Friendship

1/28---Shapes

Family Movie 2 PM and 5:30 PM

All Ages

Fridays

Paper Ninjas: Origami For Kids 10 AM

Ages 7-12r

3D Movie 10 AM

All Ages

Mind Storm

Minecraft 1:30-3:00 PM

Grades K-12

Tutoring 1-2 PM

Grades K-2

For teen events, follow our TeenSpace blog
 http://ajplteenspace.blogspot.com/

  

 

Hand-in-Hand---January

Silhouettes

Don't forget to register for the Holiday Princess Tea Party and Gingerbread Construction-Saturday, December 19th 2015! While you're here see if you can figure out the silhouettes in the Youth Department!

Hand-In-Hand---Earl Literacy Newsletter

December Events

Special Events

Friday, December 4

Superstition Mountain Museum presents Blacksmiths 3:30 pm

All Ages 

Saturday, December 5

Bells of Praise Hand Bell Choir 1:30 pm

All Ages 

Santa Visits the Library 2:00 pm

All Ages

Friday, December 11

Kids Lego 3:30 pm

Grades K-12

Saturday, December 12

Family Lego Day 10 am

All Ages

Letters to Santa 1 pm

All Ages

Santa Visits the Library 3 pm

All Ages 

Friday, December 18

Kids Create a Creation 3:30 pm

Grades K-12

Saturday, December 19

Holiday Princess Tea Party Noon-2 pm

Recommended Ages 3+ Registration Required

Gingerbread Construction 2 pm

Ages 7-12 Registration Required 

Paws 2 Read 2 pm

All Ages

Tuesday, December 22

Kids Cooking 101 3 pm

Ages 7+

Lego Night 5-7 pm

Grades K-8

Thursday, December 24

  Holiday BINGO 3 pm

All Ages  

Tuesday, December 29

Paint & Juice 3 pm

Ages 7+

Registration Required

Thursday, December 31

Countdown to Noon 11 am

Ages Pre-K 

Ongoing Events

Mondays

Masterpiece Tots 10 am 

Ages 2-5

Thursdays

Babytime 9:30 am

Ages Newborn-2 years

Storytime 11 am

Ages 3-5 years

Themes for Storytime: 
December 3-Snow

December 10-Moose

December 17-Penguins

December 24-Christmas 
 

Kids Who Code 4:45-5:45 pm

Ages 8-14 years

Movie 5:30 pm (subtitled show at 2 pm)

All Ages

Friday

Tutoring 1-2 pm

Grades K-2

Get 'R Done Homework Help 1-1:30 pm

Grades K-12 

Minecraft 1:30-3 pm

Grades K-12 

NO K-2 TUTORING, GET 'R DONE, OR MINECRAFT 
DURING WINTER BREAK

For teen events, follow our TeenSpace blog
 http://ajplteenspace.blogspot.com/

 

Grand Canyon Reader Award

The Grand Canyon Reader Award is given yearly to books in specific categories. Stop by the library to start reading today! All titles are located on a display next to the Junior Fiction section in the Youth Department. Grab a BINGO board to keep track of which ones you've read. Read five titles to make a BINGO then bring your board back to the library and earn a sticker! Check back in March for information about voting. Voting is open to children of all ages.

Non-Fiction Book Bundles

Book Bundles are located on the shelving to the right of the castle.

Non-Fiction Book Bundles are a great way to get your family interested in a new topic! Each bundle has 4 or 5 preselected books and is labeled according to the topic. Take the entire bundle to the service desk to be checked out. Do you have a suggestion for a non-fiction topic? Be sure to leave your suggestions with a youth department librarian.

Check This Out!

Play I Spy you should.

Have you been in to play I Spy With My Jedi Eye? Nine Star Wars images are hidden in the Youth Department. Find them all to decode Yoda's message to you!

November Events

Special Events

Monday, November 2

KinderPrepA 10 am Session 3 of 3

Ages 3-5 years

Friday, November 6

Superstition Mountain Museum presents Mountain Men 3:30 pm 

All Ages

Saturday, November 7

BristleBots 2 pm

School age or younger with caregiver. 

Tuesday, November 10

Child Screenings provided by University of Arizona Cooperative Extension 

9 am-1:30 pm

Developmental Screenings 1 mo-5 1/2 years

Vision Screenings 6 mo-under 6 years
Hearing Screening newborn to under 6 years

Wednesday, November 11

LIBRARY CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY

Saturday, November 14

Family LEGOS 10 am-Noon

Friday, November 20

Create a Creation 3:30 pm

School age or younger with caregiver. 

Saturday, November 21

International Games Day 9 am-5 pm

All Ages

Tuesday, November 24

LEGO Night 5-7 pm

Grades K-8

November 26-28

LIBRARY CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING

Ongoing Events

Mondays

Masterpiece Tots (Monday, Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30) 10 am 

Ages 2-5

Thursdays

Babytime 9:30 am

Ages Newborn-2 years

Storytime 11 am

Ages 3-5 years

Themes for Babytime and Storytime: 
November 5-Hats
November 12-Counting
November 19-Thanksgiving

Kids Who Code 4:45-5:45 pm

Ages 8-14 years

Movie 5:30 pm (subtitled show at 2 pm)

All Ages

Friday

Tutoring 1-2 pm

Grades K-2

Get 'R Done Homework Help 1-1:30 pm

Grades K-12

Minecraft 1:30-3 pm

Grades K-12 

For teen events, follow our TeenSpace blog
 http://ajplteenspace.blogspot.com/

Hand in Hand--Early Literacy Newsletter

Baby Sign Canceled

End of October Events

Monday 10/19 
KinderPrep (Session 1 of 3) 10 am
Ages 3-5 Registration Required

Friday 10/23

Kids Legos 3:30 pm

Monday 10/26

 KinderPrep (Session 2 of 3) 10 am
Ages 3-5 Registration Required

Tuesday 10/27
Lego Night Grades K-8th 5-7 pm 

Friday 10/30
Kids Create a Creation 3:30 pm

Saturday 10/31
Harry Potter Halloween 1:30-4:30 pm 

Ongoing Events

Thursdays
Babytime 9:30 am
Storytime 11 am
Kids Who Code 4:45-5:45 pm Ages 8-14 

Fridays
3D Movie 10 am
Get 'R Done Homework Help 1-1:30 pm
Minecraft 1:30-3 pm

Don't miss our Halloween themed Babytime and Storytime on 
Thursday, October 29. Wear your costume!

Welcome to the Children's Department

The Apache Junction Public Library is excited to welcome two new members to the children's department team! Welcome Miss Stephanie and Miss Rachelle!

Miss Stephanie (left) and Miss Rachelle (right)

Miss Stephanie is a 19 year Apache Junction Public Library veteran who moved to the children's department from circulation. You'll see her working the children's circulation desk, at Babytime, Storytime, during special children's department programs, and during teen events. 

Miss Rachelle is new to the Apache Junction Public Library. She taught K/1 in Kansas City for nine years before joining the children's team. You'll see her working the children's circulation desk, at Babytime, Storytime, Masterpiece Tots, and during special children's department programs. 

September Events for Kids

Special Events

Brain Boxes (weeks 2 and 3)

Thursday, September 3 and 10

0-18 months at 9:45 AM

19 months - 5 years at 10:45 AM

Registration required

Family LEGOs

Saturday, September 12

10 AM - 12 PM

Splash Water Play

Thursday, September 17

0-2 years at 9:30 AM

3-5 years at 10:30 AM

Bring swimsuit, towel and sunscreen

Paws 2 Read

Saturday, September 19

2 - 3:30 PM

LEGO Night

Tuesday, September 22

5-7 PM

Kindergarten through 8th grade

Batman Day

Saturday, September 26

1:30 - 4:30 PM

Recurring Events

Baby Signs

Every Wednesday

10 AM

Kids Who Code

Every Thursday

4:45 - 5:45 PM

Ages 8-14

3D Movies (G or PG)

Every Friday

10:30 AM

Mindstorm Fridays

Every Friday

Get 'R Done Homework Help from 1-2 PM

Minecraft from 2-3 PM

Varied events at 3:30 PM:

Superstition Mountain Museum on September 4

LEGOs on September 11

Rocket Straws on September 18

Create a Creation on September 25

Tales with Miss Alana

Monday, September 14, 21 and 28

10 - 11 AM

Mind Storm Fridays - August

August Events for Kids

Chess Club
Tuesdays from 3:30 - 4:45 PM
All ages - drop in

Baby Signs
Wednesdays at 10 AM

3D Movies

Fridays at 10:30 AM

Mind Storm Fridays
Every Friday during the school year, excepting holidays
Get 'R Done Homework Help from 1 - 2 PM
Minecraft from 2 - 3 PM

LEGOs at 3:30 PM

DIY Pet Rocks

Saturday, August 1 at 2 PM

Family LEGOs

Saturday, August 8
10 AM - 12 PM

Paws 2 Read
Saturday, August 15 from 2 - 3:30 PM

Brain Boxes
Beginning Thursday, August 27 (3 week session)
Infants through 18 months at 9:45 AM
19 months through 3 years at 10:45 AM

Registration Required

July Events for Kids

Baby Signs

Every Wednesday
10 AM

 

Science Behind Aquaman
Summer Reading Event!
Wednesday, July 1st

1:30 PM

Ages 6+

 

Babytime
Thursday, July 2nd and 9th

9:30 AM

 

Storytime

Thursday, July 2nd and 9th

11:00 AM

 

3D Movies (G or PG)

Every Friday

10:30 AM

 

Chess Club

Every Tuesday

3:30 - 3:45 PM

All ages - drop in

 

Pirate Day
Summer Reading Event!

Wednesday, July 8th

1:30 PM

 

Family LEGOs

Saturday, July 11th

10 AM - 12 PM

 

Create a Creation
Summer Reading Event!

Wednesday, July 15th

1:30 PM

Ages 6-12

 

Paws 2 Read

Saturday, July 18th

2:00 - 3:30 PM

 

Marshmallow Engineering
Summer Reading Event!

Wednesday, July 22nd

1:30 PM

Ages 6-12

 

Last Day to Pick Up Summer Reading Prizes

Saturday, July 25th

 

Lego Night

Tuesday, July 28th

5:00 - 7:00 PM

Kindergarten through 8th grade

June Events for Kids

Tales With Miss Alana
Every Monday
10 AM - 11 AM

Chess Club
All ages - drop in
Every Tuesday
3:30 - 4:45 PM

Baby Signs
Every Wednesday
10:00 AM

Development Screenings
Wednesday, June 3
9 AM - 12 noon

Royal Tea Party
Wednesday, June 3
1:30 PM

Babytime
Every Thursday
9:30 AM

Storytime

Every Thursday
11:00 AM

Movies

Every Thursday
Subtitled at 2:00 PM

Non-subtitled at 5:30 PM

3D Movies
Every Friday

10:30 AM

Paws 2 Read Bird Beak Lab
Saturday, June 6

10:00 AM - 12 noon

Kids Who Code
Ages 8-14
Monday June 8, 15 & 22
11:00 AM
Registration required

Dinosaurs Exposed
Wednesday, June 10
1:30 PM

Family LEGOs
Saturday, June 13
10:00 AM - 12 noon

Radical Reptiles
Wednesday, June 17
1:30 PM

Paws 2 Read
Saturday, June 20
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

LEGO Night

Kindergarten - 8th Grade
Tuesday, June 23
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Ronald McDonald
Wednesday, June 24
1:30 PM

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

"Fascinated by Dr. Seuss" - image via Flickr user Sage Ross

Chances are, when you were a child, your parents or caregivers read to you one or more Dr. Seuss books. Over the years, you may have found them in the library, read battered copies on your family bookshelves, or picked up a copy to add to the book collection of a new baby. The distinctive art style, catchy rhymes and simple but clever vocabulary keep adults and children returning to read old Dr. Seuss favorites and discover new ones.

Recognize any of these titles? Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax, Hop on Pop and Horton Hears a Who are all among the 40+ children’s books that Dr. Seuss wrote.

Dr. Seuss. Image via Wikipedia

The author we know as Dr. Seuss was born Theodor Seuss Geisel on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts, a setting which influenced many aspects of his later work. In 1925, he graduated from Dartmouth College, where he had been a fraternity member and editor-in-chief of the humor magazine Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern. Humor and cartoons would be a hallmark of his early career as he sold cartoons to the Saturday Evening Post, Life, and Vanity Fair. He also found work in advertising, for a wide range of companies from General Electric to NBC.

Dr. Seuss’s first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, came to him on an ocean voyage to Europe; its rhyming scheme was influenced by the rhymes his mother would chant to settle her children to sleep. That book was followed by a few more, but he took a break to create political cartoons during World War 2. It wasn’t until after the war that Dr. Seuss returned to writing children’s books, with many of his well-known classics written during the 1950s.

Dr. Seuss passed away on September 24, 1991 at the age of 87 in California.

He received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, a special Pulitzer Prize, two Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Peabody award, and an honorary doctorate. You can find a library at the University of California, San Diego named after him, as well as a memorial garden in Springfield and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. An annual award was created in his honor: the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, which recognizes “the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.” You can see a list of winners of the award here.

Recently, CNN reported that a “lost work” of Dr. Seuss was discovered by his widow, Audrey Geisel. Called What Pet Should I Get?, this new work will be published by Random House Children’s Books in July of this year. Good news for Seuss fans: the publisher also announced two additional, forthcoming books from the cache of found materials.

Curious about the catchy meter that many of Seuss’ books were written in? It’s called “anapestic tetrameter,” and you may also recognize it from “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Wikipedia has more information on this poetic meter.

Interested in Dr. Seuss’ artwork? Check out The Art of Dr. Seuss, a website which “offers a rare glimpse into the artistic life of this celebrated American icon and chronicles almost seven decades of work that, in every respect is uniquely, stylistically, and endearingly Seussian.”

The Apache Junction Public Library and Pinal County Library District have a wide selection of Dr. Seuss’s works, plus the movie adaptations. Click here to be taken to the search results for a search for Dr. Seuss.

Or, if you’re on Pinterest, check out the library’s Pinterest board of Dr. Seuss works. Click each title to be taken to the listing to see if the book is available, or place it on hold.

The library will host a Belated Birthday Celebration for Dr. Seuss on March 12, 2015. See the flyer below for more information.

Why not take some time to revisit these classics – and introduce them to the next generation - in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday month?

After all…

“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”

Children listen while the Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., reads a Dr. Seuss book in the newly constructed children's portion of the Casey Memorial Library at Ft. Hood, TX, Sept. 8, 2010. Army photo by D. Myles Cullen (released) Via Wikipedia

More Information

Dr. Seuss’ Wikipedia Page

CatintheHat.org